This savings account is a national heritage
http://www.sindhtoday.net/south-asia/41016.htm

Patna, Dec 4 (IANS) It’s a savings account that has
a balance of just Rs.1,508. It has not been operated for over decades.
Yet, a bank here takes pride in the account holder - for it belonged to
the country’s first president, Rajendra Prasad.
The account at the Exhibition Road branch of the
Punjab National Bank (PNB) has not been closed by the authorities even
four decades after Rajendra Prasad’s death as a mark of respect to him.
‘For the PNB, Rajendra Prasad’s savings account is a national
heritage, we are proud to preserve it for future generations,’ Sailesh
Ranjan Singh, chief manager of the bank, told IANS.
Singh said the bank branch was directed by its head office in New
Delhi to keep the account active as a national heritage and in view of
its importance.
‘The bank will keep the account active as long as possible,’ he said.
In 2007, the balance in the savings account held by late Rajendra
Prasad, the Bharat Ratna awardee, was Rs.1,432. The bank added interest
to the amount, so it is now Rs.1,508.
‘At a time when the present-day politicians declare assets worth
billions, the balance in Rajendra Prasad’s account signifies his
honesty and integrity in public life. It is a lesson for the young,’
another bank official said.
According to bank officials, no one has come forward till date to
withdraw the amount as there was no nominee for the account. Rajendra
Prasad’s descendants have already migrated out of Bihar. Bank officials
said that the account was an asset for the bank.
Rajendra Prasad was born Dec 3, 1884, at Zeradei in Bihar’s Siwan
district and died Feb 28, 1963, in Patna. After 12 years as president -
from 1950 to 1962 - he retired and was subsequently awarded the Bharat
Ratna, the nation’s highest civilian honour.
He spent the last months of his life at the Sadaqat Ashram in Patna.

 


Get your own website and domain for just Rs.1,999/year..* Go to
http://in.business.yahoo.com/

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]